The 2020 IWSL campaign begins this Sunday at a terrific field in Walker, a small town (pop. 789) that is located 20 miles north of Cedar Rapids in a lovely setting.

All of the IWSL games were played at Mount Mercy University the past two years, but the college softball fields at Mount Mercy, Kirkwood, Coe and Iowa are all closed due to the pandemic. League officials reached out to new friends in Walker and the community has welcomed us with open arms.

"We are delighted to be playing in Walker this summer," said Jim Ecker, the founder and director of the Iowa Women's Softball League. "The good people in Walker are excited about us coming to town and they have everything to make us feel welcome."

The IWSL will spend the first four weeks of the season in Walker with doubleheaders each Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The league might switch to a college field in July if one becomes available, but otherwise all the games in July will be played in Walker as well.
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There is a nice blend of NCAA, NAIA and Junior College players as the IWSL enters its fourth year as the only program for women's college softball during the summer in Iowa.

Here are the rosters:

]]>administrator@metrosportsreport.com (Jim Ecker)frontpageWed, 03 Jun 2020 14:47:37 +0000 2020 IWSL Schedulehttp://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40468:-2020-iwsl-schedule&catid=184:about-msr
http://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40468:-2020-iwsl-schedule&catid=184:about-msrHere is the complete Iowa Women's Softball League Schedule for this summer with games beginning on June 7.

Games in June will be held in Walker.

The site for games in July is yet to be determined.

]]>administrator@metrosportsreport.com (Metro Sports Report)frontpageWed, 03 Jun 2020 14:25:42 +0000Iowa Western hoops joining Kirkwood's leaguehttp://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40465:iowa-western-hoops-joining-kirkwoods-league&catid=184:about-msr
http://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40465:iowa-western-hoops-joining-kirkwoods-league&catid=184:about-msrIowa Western Community College men's and women's basketball teams are switching from NJCAA Division I to Division II, putting the Reivers into the same ICCAC conference with the Kirkwood Eagles.

That's good for Kirkwood, because Iowa Western has strong teams and it they will give the Eagles another good opponent. But it's also potentially bad for Kirkwood, because now there will be even stiffer competition to earn the league's only bid to the national tournament.

The Iowa Western men's basketball team will join the ICCAC for the 2020-21 school year. Their women's basketball team will the conference in 2021-22.

The switch from DI to DII is just for basketball at Iowa Western and does not affect their other sports. The school is located in Council Bluffs.

Doug Wagemester, the athletic director at Kirkwood, was a little surprised by the move. "We've been dealing with it the last 10 days," he said Thursday. "It kind of came out of nowhere."
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administrator@metrosportsreport.com (Jim Ecker)frontpageFri, 10 Apr 2020 12:17:55 +0000KCC's Appel commits to South Dakota Statehttp://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40462:kccs-appel-commits-to-south-dakota-state&catid=184:about-msr
http://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40462:kccs-appel-commits-to-south-dakota-state&catid=184:about-msrLuke Appel has joined the pipeline from Kirkwood to South Dakota State.

Appel, a 6-foot-8 forward, plans to continue his basketball career at South Dakota State after averaging 15.9 points and 8.4 rebounds as a sophomore at Kirkwood this year. He was named the co-player of the year in the ICCAC this season.

Appel will be joining former Kirkwood coach Bryan Petersen and former Kirkwood All-American Doug Wilson when he arrives at South Dakota State.

Petersen joined the Jackrabbits as an assistant coach this past season after leading Kirkwood to the NJCAA Division II national title in 2019. Wilson joined the Jackrabbits this season as well after being named the NJCAA Division II Player of the Year in 2019.
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"We're excited to welcome Tim to the Mount Mercy family," said Gavin. "He has extensive experience coaching and teaching the game of basketball at all levels and has revived collegiate programs into conference and national contenders.

"Tim's passion for creating a strong and positive team culture will be integral to the success of our women's basketball program."

Schuring founded TNT5 Basketball Development in 2008, and since then the organization has gained a reputation as one of the best skill development organizations in Iowa. Over the past 12 years he has served as owner, head coach and skill trainer. Most recently, his focus has been coaching the Iowa Prep 15-under girls club team and 17-under boys squad.
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administrator@metrosportsreport.com (Jim Ecker)frontpageWed, 18 Mar 2020 15:26:02 +0000Rima reaches 600 wins as Kirkwood sweepshttp://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40456:rima-reaches-600-wins-as-kirkwood-sweeps&catid=184:about-msr
http://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40456:rima-reaches-600-wins-as-kirkwood-sweeps&catid=184:about-msrAUBURNDALE, Fla. - Todd Rima joined the 600 victory club on Friday when the Kirkwood Eagles swept a doubleheader from Sussex County, 11-1 and 4-3, on their abbreviated spring trip to Florida.

Rima has a 601-381 record in 19 years as a head college baseball coach, including a 236-134 mark in eight years at Kirkwood. He also served as the head coach at NIACC for 11 years.

Kirkwood has suspended all of its spring sports through April 3 due to precautions regarding the corona virus.

Joel Vaske and Kyle Moeder hit home runs for the Eagles in the 11-1 victory in the opener, which ended after five innings due to the mercy rule. Vaske was 4-for-4 and drove in five runs.

administrator@metrosportsreport.com (Metro Sports Report)frontpageFri, 13 Mar 2020 11:16:00 +0000Mount Mercy trimmed by No. 7 Lourdeshttp://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40448:mount-mercy-trimmed-by-no-7-lourdes&catid=184:about-msr
http://www.metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40448:mount-mercy-trimmed-by-no-7-lourdes&catid=184:about-msrThe Mount Mercy men's volleyball team put up a good fight against the seventh-ranked team in the country Wednesday night, but fell a little short.

The Mustangs lost to Lourdes of Ohio, 25-23, 26-24, 18-25, 25-23, in a non-conference match at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

The setback dropped Mount Mercy to 16-6 and snapped an 11-match winning streak. Lourdes raised its record to 17-4.